Redknapp not looking ahead

22 May 2014 11:31

Harry Redknapp has refused to be drawn on his future ahead of Saturday's Championship play-off final.

The veteran boss takes QPR to Wembley to face Derby in the winner-takes-all showdown in what could be his final match in charge.

There have been reports that Redknapp will leave Loftus Road should Rangers fail to secure promotion back to the Premier League, or that he may even be ready to quit management altogether.

But when asked whether Saturday's result will have a bearing on his future, the 67-year-old former West Ham, Tottenham and Portsmouth chief would only say: "I don't think beyond Saturday.

"I have not even thought about a player for next year. My focus is getting a result on Saturday, then we can all sit down and start planning for the future.

"We haven't thought about that yet. That's the difficulty of the play-offs, it depends where you are next year."

Rangers are desperate for a return to the top flight at the first attempt but face a Rams side rejuvenated under Steve McClaren, who began the season on Redknapp's coaching staff.

"It's a massive game," added Redknapp. "Obviously we want to get back into the Premier League so there is a lot at stake.

"I think Derby are the favourites. They have been on a great run and Steve has done a fantastic job with them. They are a young side, full of energy.

"It's got all the ingredients of being a good match-up.

"We can't get too carried away with the occasion. We have to make sure we have clear heads, we are focused and we play the way we want to play.

"If we got up it would be fantastic. That was the aim at the start of the season."

Rangers have been boosted by the availability of defender Yun Suk-Young.

There were fears the 24-year-old would have to link up with the South Korea squad for their pre-World Cup training camp as FIFA designated May 19-25 as an official rest period for all players selected for the tournament.

But coach Hong Myung-bo has allowed the left-back to stay with the Rangers squad for the Wembley clash.